At the very end of Dawn of the Dead (2004), after the main group has seemingly escaped the zombie-infested mainland, their fate is revealed through found footage shown as the credits begin to roll. This footage depicts their harrowing journey at sea and their eventual, desperate landing on an island.
The Survivors' Perilous Sea Journey
Following their escape from the mall, a small group of survivors, including Ana, Kenneth, Nicole, Terry, and Chip, commandeer a boat to seek refuge. The footage, recorded by Terry, documents their voyage, which quickly devolves into a struggle for survival.
- Dwindling Resources: As they navigate the open waters, the group faces critical shortages of essential supplies. Both food and water begin to run out, signaling the dire circumstances they are in even far from the mainland.
- Mechanical Failure: Their only means of escape, the boat, encounters severe mechanical issues. It runs out of gas, leaving them adrift, and the engine subsequently catches fire, adding another layer of immediate danger to their already precarious situation.
Despite these escalating perils, the footage ultimately shows that they manage to reach an island, offering a momentary sense of relief and a potential, albeit uncertain, sanctuary from the relentless undead.
